Folding machine



Jan. 31, 1928. 1,657,911

J. W. ANTHONY FOLDING MACHINE Filed April 16. 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 31, 1928. 1,657,911

I J. w. ANTHQNY FOLDING-MACHINE v Filed April 16, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 70 five/170?. I!

Ja n. 31, 1928. 1,657,911

J. W. ANTHONY FOLDING MACHINE Filed Ari} 3.6, $956 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ii" 2; 6 A 276 I 7 Jan. 31, 1928. 1,657,911

J. w. ANTHONY FOLDING MACHINE Filed 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 f0 1 m 00 i Jan. 31, 1928.

J. W. ANTHONY v FOLDING MACHINE a Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 16. 1926 Jan. 31, 1928.

1,657,911 J. W. ANTHONY FOLDING MACHINE Filed April 16, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 mo 20 "g 'T/ /.32

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1,657,911 J. w. ANTHONY FOLDING mourns Filed April 16. 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 3w 73 my 0 A jivveifi'ar.

Patented Jan. 31, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

J'OSEPH W. ANTHONY, OI LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING MACHINE.

AppEication filed April 16, 1926'. Serial No. 102,538.

This invention relates to folding machines especially adapted to fold at one operation all sides and the corners of book covers of varying dimensions, although it is not limited to this use exclusively.

In general, the machine embodying this invention is constructed on the principles lllustrated in my Patent No. 1,477,745, dated December 18, 1923.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a folding machine of the general type above set forth wherein the op erative components are inclined at such an angle with the horizontal that an operative can insert cover-blanks into and remove the folded blanks from the machine readily and wherein the folding space in the machine is relatively unobstructed, so that an operative can readily watch the operation of the folding elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to hold the blank securely in inclined position within the folding space to prevent the blank from' sliding downwardly therefrom, until the folded elements have been moved into operative and holding engagement with the blank.

A yet further object of the invention is the provision of an improved construction which readily permits adjustments and changes of positions of the Various elements of the machine for the folding of blanks of different dimensions.

The folding machine present invention is particularly adapted for the forming of round corners on the folded cover; and one of the objects of this invention is theprovision of means whereby round corners of varying dimensions can be formed on book covers.

A further object is generally to improve the construction and operation of folding machines.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the folding machine embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine of Fig 1 ig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation along line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. i is a plan view of the bed of the machine along line 4& of Fig. certain of the parts being omitted to illustrate more articularly the mechanism for reciprocat mg the side and corner wipers.

embodying the Fig. 5 is a plan detail of the bed of the machlne with the presser head and asso ciated elements removed.

Fig. 6 is a plan detail of the bed of the 1 the adjustable support for a horizontal die bar.

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail illustrating the round corner defining means.

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail illustrating the manner of attaching a filler bar to a die bar.

Fig. 8 is aperspective detail of around corner block.

Fig. 9 is a plan detail of the round corner of a forming plate and illustrating the con struction thereat for forming smooth rounded corners. i

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the corner of the forming plate illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a forming plate.

Fig. 11 is an end detail of a forming plate, and its adjustable connections with the presser head. i

Fig. 12 is an end view of a reciprocating member for a corner wiper and illustrating more particularly the adjustable connections between the wiper and its actuating memher, to provide for the folding of materials of varying dimensions.

illustrating the construction for a side Wiper.

Fig. 13 is a detail along line 1313 of Fig. 1 and illustrating particularly the clutch mechanism for starting and stopping the operation of the machine.

Figs. 14 through 18 are details. illustrating the relative positions of the blank and folding elements in the successive steps of the folding operation.

Fig. 19 is a detail illustrating the connection between the material supporting table and the oscillatory cam ring for raising and lowering the table. I v

Fig. 20 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail of the mechanism for holding the blanks in the folding space before the folding operation is started. v

Fig. 21 is a plan detail of a cam block and associated mechanism for controlling the operation ofthe forming plates and for Fig. 12 is a view similar to 12 but holding the forming plates in their extended position against the wiping action of the wipers.

Fig. 22 is a plan view of the sliding interlocking connection between the stationarilysupported and vertically reeiprocable sections of the operating rod for the forming plates.

Fig. 23 is a plan view of the adjustable pressure frame.

Fig. 24; is a sectional elevation along line 24 24 of Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a perspective detail illustrating the corner-construction of the pressure frame.

Fig. 26 is a detail illustrating the swivel connection between the pressure frame and a pressure-screw.

As here shown, the machine embodying this invention consists of a bed 10 which is provided with an inclined front face 12 on and above which the operative elements of the folding machine are disposed in inclined position and conveniently accessible to an operative sitting in front of the machine to place blanks therein and to withdraw the folded covers. The bed 10 is provided with a rearwardly disposed horizontal face 14 which forms a support for the driving mechanism.

The folding elements of the machine include a yicldingly mounted table upon which the blank is placed and retained during the folding operation. A clamping 01' presser plate is carried by a vertically reciprocable presser head disposed above the table and is adapted to be moved downwardly to clamp the material onto the table during the folding operation. Forming plates are also carried by the presser head and are movable downwardly therewith and are extensible to define the line of fold. Side and corner wipers are disposed about the table and are adapted to be moved inwardly and to fold the edges of the material over upon the forming plates. .The forming plates are adapted to be retracted from under the folded material and the yieldiugly-supported table and the wipers are adapted to press the folded edge onto the body of the blank to cause the previously applied adhesive to re ment the folded edge to the blank-body. The work supporting table, the wipers and the operating mechanisms thereof are carried by a base plate 16 which is secured to the inclined face 12 of the bed 10. Said base plate is provided with an opening 18 in the middle thereof around which are disposed a plurality of upstanding posts 20. A second and concentric set of posts 22 are siniilarly extended upward from the base plate 16 in radial line with and spaced from said inner posts 20 to provide an annular guide groove in which a cam ring 24 is disposed for oscillatory movement. Aligned grooves 26, see Fig. 12, are formed in the upper faces of each set of outer and inner posts to form guideways in which slide blocks 28 for operating the wipers are disposed. Plates 30 are secured to said posts and are extended over said grooves to retain said blocks 28 in operative position in said grooves. Said canrring 24: is provided with a plurality of cam slots 32 in its upper face and said slide blocks 28 are provided with depending canifollowers comprising pins 3% on which rolls 36 are join-nailed. Said rolls are received within the cam slots of the ring so that as the ring is oscillated throughout a suitable angle each slide block is correspondingly reciprocated. The arrangement of the cam slots is such that the diagonal cam blocks, which are adapted to operate the corner wipers, are moved inwardly shortly after the other slide blocks have been correspondingly moved.

Said cam ring is reciprocated by means including a gear sector 38 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the uppermost portion of the cam ring and is adapted to be in engagement with a rcciprocable rack hereinafter to be ('lescribed.

The cover-blank is adapted to be supported, during the folding operation, upon a yieldingly-supportcd table which is supported in parallel relation with and above the inclined base 16. Said table includes a flat plate l0 which is secured by screws 42 to the upper face of a bar 44. Said bar is provided at its ends with two depending rods l0 which are slidably received within bosses 48 of a plate 50. Compression springs 51 are disposed about said rods 443 above said bosses l8 and are adapted to bear upon said bosses and said bar il, whereby yieldingly to support the table. The lower ends of said rods'are screw-threaded and check nuts 53 adjustably received thereon are adapted to engage said plate 50 and thereby define the elevated position of said table. Provision is made for supporting various sizes of coverblanlts by removing a table plate 40 and sub stituting therefor one of dimensions which are suitable for the specific size of blank to be folded. Said plate 50 is secured to a cylindrical hub 52 which is carried by a bar of a table supporting frame 54 which. as shown in Fig. is disposed above the previously described cam ring and slide blocks. Said hub 52 has a screw threaded extension 56 which is extended downwardly through an aperture in said bar 54; and a spanner nut 58 is screw-threaded on said extension whereby to clamp said hub removably to said bar 54. Said hub 52 may be provided with pins (30 which are received in holes (32 of said bar 54 to preserve the angular setting of said hub.

Said table is adapted to be reciprocated above said base 16 for the purpose of press ltl 72 and 74 at a angle therewith and said corner plates 84- are provided with grooves in their lower faces in which said corner wipers are received and guided for reciprocatory movement.

. The upper and lower wipers are detachably secured by screws 128 to the top faces of wiper carriers 180, which carriers have tapered side walls which are reciproeable in COll'CSPOlldlllgl) shaped grooves 131 formed in the middle portions of the upper faces of said upper and lower die.

Filler blocks 12? are secured to the middle of the upper faces of the side die bars and are substantially flush with the top faces of said upper and lower die bars. Said blocks are provided with dove-tail grooves 132 in their upper faces in which the side wiper carriers are slidablc. The top faces of all wiper carriers are approxin'iately flush with the top face of the die frame. The filler bars 112 are secured removably to the ends of said tiller blocks by screws 113. Said wiper carriers, and the corner wipers, are connected with their respective slide blocks 28 by means which permit said carriers and corner wipers to be adjusted inwardly and outwardly toward and away from the middle of the folding space and operated in any adjusted position for the folding of blanks of varying dimensions. To this end, the slide blocks 28 for the side wipers are formed with T-shaped grooves 132. see Fig. 12, in their upper faces. Z-shaped supporting standards 13st are adapted to connect rigidly said blocks and wiper carriers. Said car riers are secured removably to the upper faces of said standards by screws 136. Said standards are secured adjustably upon said slide blocks 28 by means of bolts 138 and T-nuts 140, which nuts are received within the T-shaped grooves of said slide blocks. As thus arranged, said standards can be adjusted along the lengths of said slide blocks and secured in any adjusted position' whereby to permit the side wipers to be suitably located for the folding of a selected blank. The adjustable connection between the corner wipers and their respective slide blocks is similarly provided except that the standards 13 t associated with said corner wipers are secured adj ustably on the upper faces of adjustment-laws 1-12, which bars are provided with horizontally extended T- shaped slots 14-1: therein in which the clamping bolt and out 146 for said standards 134 are received. Said bars 1-12 are arranged approximately parallel with the horizontal line of the bed and are supported on spacerblOCkS 118 above and are connected with the slide blocks 28 for the corner wipers by the bolts 150. The arrangement is such that said bars 1 12 can be adjusted along their re spective slide blocks and the standards 134 for the corner wipers can be adjusted on said bars; and both may be secured in any adjusted position whereby suitably to position the corner wipers for the folding of a selected blank.

The forming plates and presser plate are carried by a presser head 152 which is re ciproeably disposed above the folding space. Said presser head includes a supporting frame having a base plate 154; which is ex-' tended over the folding space from the rear portion of the machine. Said plate 151 is provided with an upstanding extension 156 at its rear end which is formed or provided with parallel V-shaped slides 158 at its 01)- posite sides; and said slides are reciln'ocable n a plane perpendicular to the bed 16 in slideways 160 provided in the opposed ends of arms 162 of a bracket secured to the frame of the machine at the rear of and above the folding elements. The presser head includes a pair of opposed arms 16% which are bolted at their upper ends by bolts 1th; to said supporting frame. Said arms are connected intern'iediate their ends by an integral crossmember 168 which is secured by a screw 170 to the base plate 154 of said supporting frame. Said arms 164 are out ardly divergent at an angle of 45 with the vertical center of the machine below said cross member 168. and are integrally connected with arms 172. The frame is also provided with upper and similarly disposed arms 17d, which arms provide supports for the forming plates. The under faces of said upper and lower arms 172 and 17 1- are formed with dove tailed slots 176 which extend at right angles with each other; and slide blocks 178 are reciprocably received within said grooves. The lower faces of said blocks are extended below said arms and are formed with tapered parallel side walls 180 which are received within complementary slots 184 in adjustment blocks 182 see Fig. 11. Said adjustment blocks are also provided with ribs 186 which are disposed belo and at right angles to said grooves 181, on which ribs the forming plates are adapted to be slidably received.

There are four forming plates. all similar in construction which, see Fig. 11. are composed of thin sheet material provided with side-extension 188 disposed at right: angles and the rounded corner 190 connecting said side-extensions. Said plates are suitably sccured to brackets having the upstanding walls 193 and outstandim. supporting feet 194 which are integral and at right angles with said upstanding walls. Said supporting feet are formed or provided with grooves 196 having parallel side walls and arranged parallel to one of the sideriztensions of the forming plates and in which grooves said ribs are adapted to be slidably received. Clamping bolts 200 are passed through the slots 198 in the feet of the forming plates The slide blocks 178, and consequently the I forming plates, are adapted to be reciprocated outwardly and inwardly by means of a slide block 206. Said block rests upon the base plate 154 of the supporting frame, between and above the forming plat-es, and is reeiprocated by means hereinafter to be described. Said block jisprovided with a slot 208 therein through which a screw 210 fixed to said base plate is passed whereby to restrain said blockfrom detachment with the supporting frame. Links 212 are pivotally connected at their upper ends with said block and at their lower ends are pivoted on screws 214,.fixed in the lower slide blocks 178, so that, as said block 206 is reciprocated back and forth, said. lower slide blocks 17 8 with their attached forming plates are also reciproeated, thereby to extend and retract the forming plates. Links 216 are pivoted at 218 to the upper slide blocks 178. The lower ends of said links are pivoted to levers 218, which levers are suitably pivoted at 220 intermediate their ends to the; arms 16% of the presser head. Theinner ends of said levers are loosely pivotally connected with the slide block 206 by means of screws 222 which are extended through slots 224: of said levers. As thus arranged, the reciprocatory movement of said slide block 206 also serves to reciprocate the upper forming plates; and all forming plates are thus arranged to be moved outwardly and inwardly together.

The above described adjustable supports for the forming plates permit operation upon blanks having a moderate range in dimensions. For operation upon blanksof greatly differing dimensions one set of forming plates is adapted to be removed from the machine and replaced by another set of forming plates which have dimensions suitable for operation on the selected blank.

Said forming plates are disposed immediately abovea presser plate 226, which is carried detachably at the lower end of a post 228 secured in and dependent below the base member 154 of the supporting frame. Said presser plate is adapted to be lowered by movements of the presser head into contact with the blank to ress it onto the supporting table and to ho d it in place thereon during the operation of the forming plates and the wipers.

The forming plates are adapted tobe re-- ciprocated by a rod or shaft 230 which is' mounted for sliding movement in the extension 156 of the supporting frame and isattached at its forward end to the slide block 206. Said shaft 230 is actuated by means including a reciprocable shaft 232 which is slidable in the fixed frame of the machine.

Since said shaft 230 is carried by the reciprocable presser head, means are provided to slidably connect said shaft 230 and 232 to permit movement of said shaft 230 while maintaining the positive connection between the two shafts operative at all times. To this end, the forward end of the shaft 232 18 provided with a block sea which block is provided with a vertically extended dove tailed groove 238 in its front face. The rear end of said shaft 230 is provided with a block 240 which is provided with a tongue 242 is slidable in said groove. As thus arranged, said shafts are positively connected, or are interlocked, forconjoint reciprocator movement regardless of the position of til pres- .eer head.

The presser head is reciprocated by means of alever 244 which is disposed above said presser head and ispivoted intermediate its ends to upstanding lugs 246 of the frame of the machine. The forward end of said lever is pivotally connected to a yoke 248 which is adjustably screw-threaded into the vertical extension 158 ofthe supporting frame of the presser head whereby to reciprocate said frame. The rear end of said lever 24A ispivotally connected loosely with a slide block 250 which is slidable in a guide slot 254 of the frame of the machine. Said slide block is adapted to be reciprocated whereby to reciprocate said lever and consequently the presser head. 7

All of the folding elements are adapted to be actuated by means of a vertical frame 256. Said frame is slidable on vertically spaced cylindrical rods 258 which are fixed in and are horizontally extended between side arms 260 of the machine-frame at the rear and upper ends thereof. Said vertical frame is provided withan inclined wall 262 which is disposed atthe rear of said slide block 250 and supports a cam block 264 for operating said slide block 250. Said cam block is provided with a cam groove 266 of. approximately Z-shape and said slide block carries a camfollower including a cam roller-268 which is received within said slide. The shape of said cam groove is adapted to be such that, as said frame 256 is reciprocated, the presser head is held without motion during the first and last parts of the stroke of the frame and is moved downwardly or upwardly, as the case may be, during the intermediate part of the movement.

Said frame is also provided with a second inclined wall 270 which supports the cam block 272 for operating the forming plates. Said cam block, illustrated more particularly in Fig. 21, is provided with a cam slot 274 in which is received the can'i-follower comprising a roll 276 carried by and depending from the shaft associated with the forming plates. Said cam slot 274 is in effect similar to the cam slot in the cam block 2M illustrated in Fig. 3, modified however in a manner to prevent the forming plates from being retracted by the pressure exerted upon them by the wiping movement of the side wipers as they wipe over the edge of the blank on top of the extended forming plates. To prevent such undesired movement of the forming plates, a bar 278 is slidably disposed in said cam block. The forward end of said bar is provided with an inclined projection 280 which is approxin'lately parallel with the inclined wall 282 of the cam slot. Said bar is maintained yieldingly in the position shown in Fig. 21 by means of a compression spring 284 which bears against said bar 278 and also against a bracket 286 carried by the cam block, thereby to define a more or less Z-shaped cam slot. hen said cam block is moved toward the right, Fig. 21, the cam roller 276 is brought into engagement with the projection 280 of said bar and serves to move said bar towards the left against the action of said spring without movement of the shaft 232 associated with said cam roller. When, however, said projection 280 is moved against the wall 288 of the cam block, it is held from further movement and the cam roller and its associated shaft are consequently forced to move along the inclined face of said projection whereby to urge the forming plates outwardly. When the cam roller reaches the left hand end of the cam slide, it is free from the bar 278 and its projection. The spring 28st. consequently presses said bar inwardly, into the cam slot to occupy the position illustreated, in which position it is disposed behind said cam roll and thereby restrains it and the forming plate against backward movement. lVhen the cam block 272 is moved in the opposite direction, or towards the left, the roller is brought against the inclined face 282 of the cam slot and is consequently moved rearwardly whereby to retract the forming plates without acting on said bar 278.

The operating frame 256 is provided at its lower end with a rack 290 which in mesh with the gear sector 38 carried by the cam ring 24. The reciprocatory movement of said operating frame consequently -erves to reciprocate said cam ring in timed relation carried by the operating frame 256 is received; and the shape of the cam groove and its arrangement is such as to provide for proper reciprocatory movement of said frame. Said shaft 29-1 driven through small and large helical gears 304- and 306 by a pulley 308 which may be belted to any suitable source of power, not shown. Said large gear 304 is loosely mounted on said drive shaft 294 and means under the control of an operative are provided to connect said gear with and disconnect it from driving relation with said shaft. Said means comprises a clutch. see Figs. 3 and 18, including a hub 310 lixcd to said shaft. Said hub provided with a sliding pin 312 which is adapted to slide through an annular groove 314 in said hub and into a recess in the gear 30f whereby to lock the gear to the hub and consequently to the drive shaft, following more or less common practice. Means are provided to control the movements of said pin, whereby to operate. the clutch. Said means includes a sliding plate 316 which is disposed mainly beneath said hub and is provided with arms 318 and 320 which are disposed on opposite sides of said hub and are provided with opposed wedge shaped faces 322 and 324 which are adapted to engage with an abutment of said pin and retract it from engagement with said gear in a more or less usual manner, whereby to bring the drive shaft and associated mechanism to rest. Said plate 316 is adapted to be reciprocated by means of a slide plate 326 which is connected through a link 328 with a pedal 330, by which it is adapted to be moved downwardly, under control of an operative, and is adapted to be retracted by a tensile spring 382. Said slide plate is provided with an inclined cam slot 334- in which is received a pin 336 carried by said clutch 316. lVhen the clutch pedal is depressed, it serves to move the clutch plate toward the right, Fig. 13, thereby to withdraw the arm 318 from holding engagement with the clutch pin so that the pin is moved by the action of a spring, not shown, into engugement with the gear thereby to cau'e the. drive shaft to rotate. If the treadle is immediately released, the drive shaft is caused to make one complete revolution and perform an entire folding operation. If, however, the clutch pedal is maintained depressed, the drive shaft is disconnected from the gear at the end of a half revolution by the arm 320. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit the machine to be stopped momentarily in such position that the folded edges of the material are pressed by the supporting table against the under sides of the extended wipers for the purposeof insuring a bond of the cement-covered folded edge with the main body of the cover. When the pedal is released, the drive shaft makes a second half revolution to complete the folding operation.

Totake care of the surplus material at the round corners of the fold, and to lay the pleats evenly, the forming plates are provided with a thickened section at their round corners formed by attaching a thin plate 3&0 to the top faces of the forming plates. Said plates may have more or less parallel side edges 342 which are bevelled off to form a smooth junction with the forming plates. The corner wipers are adapted to wipe the material at blank over said plates 3&0 and the thickness of the forming plates at the corners is adapted to be such as to take care of the surplus material at the corner fold. It is found that, with this arrangement, the material'at the corners folds down in even pleats and presents a smooth and symmetrical appearance.

Due to the inclination of the folding elements of the machine, means are provided to hold the blank in position between the elements until the presser head moves the blank downwardly and into contact with-the supporting table. Said means includes a rod 34%, Figs. 1 and 20, which is slidable in the supporting hub of the table and terminates immediately beneath said table. Said rod is provided with a cross bar 3&0 at its upper end which carries pins 348 at the ends thereof. Said pins are normally disposed below the top face of said table but are adapted to be moved upwardly through apertures in said table to press the cover blank against the bottom of the presser plate and to hold it firmly against the presser plate as said presser plate moves downwardly to bring the material upon the table. The movement of said rod 344 is under control of the operative by means of a lever 350 which iscarried by the frame of the inachine in position to be engaged by the knee of the operative. Said lever is connected through suitable means to a second lever 352 disposed to engage the "lower end of said rod an and move it upwardly. A friction pin 354 is urged by a spring 356 to bear against said rod and to hold it frictionally in its raised position. The downward movement of the presser head serves to restore the rod and associated levers to their normal.

position.

In the operation of the machine, the presser head, with the forming plates ex tended, is moved downwardly to clamp the the corner of the tracted slightly whereby the blank-support ing table operates to press the folded edge of the blank against the lower faces of the wipers, as illustrated in Fig. 18. The Wipers are then withdrawn an'l the presser head is raised upwardly thereby freeing the folded blank. During the upward movement of the presser head, the forming plates are moved outwardly in readinessfor av second I operation.

lilo-ans including the blank-supporting table are employedto apply a pressure to he folded edge of the cover, prior to the retraction of the wipers. To this end, the table-supporting frame 5%, see Figs. 25 through 26, carries upon it, and beneath said table a0, a pressure frame composed of a pair of laterally spaced parallel side bars Parallel upper and lower bars 368 are slidably mounted'on said side bars and are provided with grooves in which said side bars are received. Said bars 368 are provided with opposed dove-tailed grooves 370 in their upper faces in which corner blocks 372 are I slidably received. Said corner blocks are provided with upstanding corner posts 3% having rounded corners which are located in the corners of the die frame and are notched to receive removable pressure bars 876, which bars, in cooperation with said corner posts, define a continuous line of pressure. Said corner posts and pres sure bars are located within the die frame inn'nediately beneath. the peripheral portion of the table and normally slightly therebelow. Said pressure bars and corner posts are adapted to be raised into pressure engagement with the table by the raising of the table-supporting f'ame 54 under the action of the cam ring 2% in a manner previously described, thereby to press the table against the folded edge of the blank under the extended wipers.

The pressure frame is adjustable for various dimensions of blanks by sliding the bars 368 upon the bars 366 and by sliding the corner blocks 372 alongthe bars 368. Pressure bars 876 of suitable dimensions are adapted to be placed on the corner blocks for the particular type of blank to be folded.

The pressure frame is leveled and adjusted relative to the blank-supporting table by adjusting screws 378, which screws have a. locking swivel connection in the lower endfaces of said bars 366 as illustrated in Fig. 26 and are screw-threaded into the table supporting frame 54 and extend therebelow to a position accessible beneath the bed of the machine. The pressure frame can be raised and lowered as a unit by rotating said screws, or any corner of the frame may be raised and lowered by rotating the Screw associated with that corner.

The construction may be otherwise moditied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a folding machine, an inclined bed, wipers carried by and inclined with said bed, a presser head disposed above and inclined with said bed, a driving unit including a horizontal drive shaft disposed at the rear of said bed, and inclined operating mechanism connecting said inclined wipers and presser head with said horizontal drive shaft.

2. In a folding machine, an inclined bed, wipers carried by and inclined with said bed, a presser head reeiprocably disposed above and inclined with said bed, inclined actuating mechanisms for said wipers and presser head, and operating mechanism for said actuating mechanisms including inclined elements having operative connections with said actuating mechanisms.

3. In a folding machine, an inclined bed, wipers carried by and inclined with said bed, a presser head reciprocably disposed above and inclined with said bed, inclined actuating mechanisms for said wipers and presser head, a reciprocable member having operable connections with said actuating mechanisms, and means including a horizontal drive shaft for reciprocating said member.

4. In a folding machine, an inclined bed, wipers carried by and inclined with said bed, a presser head reciprocably disposed above and inclined with said bed, inclined actuating mechanisms for said wipers and presser head, a reciprocablemember having operable connections with said actuating mechanisms, and also having a horizontallyextended cam roller, an actuating cam for said roller, and means including a horizontal drive shaft having a driving connection with said cam.

In a folding machine, an inclined bed, wipers carried by and inclined with said bed, a presser head reciprocably disposed above and inclined with said bed, inclined actuating mechanisms for said wipers and presser head, a reciprocable member having operable connections with said actuating mechanisms, and also having a horizontallyextended cam-follower, and means to reciprocate said member including a cam rotatable in a vertical plane for actuating said cam-follower.

6. In a folding machine, an inclined bed, wipers carried by and inclined with said bed, a presser head reciprocably disposed above and inclined with said bed, inclined actuating mechanisms for said wipers and presser head, and operating mechanism for said actuating mechanisms including a vertically disposed, horizontally reciprocable member having an inclined member at the upper and lower ends thereof operatively connected with said actuating mechanisms, and an intermediately-disposcd, horizontally-extended cam-follower, and a rotatable cam-member disposed in operative relation with said cam-follower.

7. In a folding machine, an inclined bed, wipers carried by and inclined with said bed, a presser head reciprocalily disposed above and inclined with said bed, inclined actuating mechanisms for said wipers and presser head, and operating mechanism for said ac tuating mechanisms including a pair of vertically-spaced, horizontally-extended guiderods, :1 member slidable on said rods and having inclined upper and lower extensions operatively connected with said actuating mechanisms, and also having an intermc diately-disposed, horizontally-extendcd camfollower, and a rotatable cam-member disposed in operative relation with said camfollower,

8. An inclined-bed folding machine having folding elements including inclined wipers disposed to define a folding space, an inclined presser head reciprocable into and out of said folding space, and blanlogripping means to hold a blank in said folding space prior to the operation of said folding elements.

9. An inclined-bed folding machine having folding elements including inclined wipers disposed to define a folding space, an inclined presser head reciprocable into and out of said folding space, and means to hold a blank in said folding space prior to the operation of said folding elements, means under control of an operative to actuate said holding means, and means under control of said folding elements to render said holding means ineffective.

10. An inclined-bed folding machine having folding elements including inclined wipers disposed to define a folding space, an inclined presser head reciprocable into and out of said folding space, and operative-controlled, blanlegripping means arranged to hold a blank against said presser head prior to and during a part of the folding operation.

11. An inclined-bed folding machine having folding elements including inclined wipers disposed to define a folding space, an inclined presser head reciprocable into and out of said folding space, and means to hold a blank in the folding space prior to the folding operation having mechanism associated therewith constructed and arranged ton Itl

to automatically release said holding means from l'iolding engagement by the reciprocatory movement of said presser head.

12. In a folding machine, folding elements including a blank-supporting table, a presser head disposed above and reciprocable into and out of contact with said table, a blankholding device disposed beneath said presser head and arranged to be elevated above said table to press a blank against said presser head when the presser head is in elevated position, and to be depressed by said presser head, and means to restrain said holding device in depressed position.

13. In a folding machine, folding elements including a blanlesupporting table, a presser head disposed above and reciprocable into and out of Contact with said table, a blank-holding device disposed beneath said presser head and, arranged to be elevated above said table to press a blank againstsaid presser head when the presser head is in elevated position and to be depressed by said presser head, and frictional means to restrain said holding device in depressed position.

14. In a folding machine, folding elements including a blank-supporting table, a presser head disposed above and reciprocable toward and away from said table, a blank-holding device disposed normally beneath said table and arranged to be moved upwardly there through to press a blank against said presser head, and to be moved downwardly by the operation of said presser head, andfrictional means to hold said holding device re-. leasingly in normal position.

15. In a folding machine, folding elements including wipers, a presser head reciprocable between said. wipers, reciprocable forming plates carried by said presser head, operat ing mechanism therefor including a sliding member carried by and reciprocable with said presser head, and an actuating member for said sliding member having an operative connection with said sliding member in all positions thereof.

16. In a folding machine, folding elements including wipers, a presser head reciprocable between said wipers, reciprocable forming plates carried by said presser head, operating l'l'iQCllfllllSIll therefor including a sliding member carried by and reciprocable with said presser head, and an actuating member for said sliding member having an operative connection with said sliding member which admits of the reciprocatorvmovements of said sliding member while maintaining the connection between said members.

17. In a folding machine, folding elements including wipers, a presser head reciprocable between said wipers, reciprocable forming plates carried by said presser head, operating mechanism therefor including a sliding member carried by and reciprocable with said presser head, a stationarily-supported sliding member for actuating the aforesaid sliding member, and a sliding connection between said members admitting of the reciprocatory movement of said presser head while maintainingthe connection between said two sliding members.

18. In a. folding machine, folding elements including wipers, a presser head reciprocable between said wipers, rec-iprocable forming plates carried by said presser head, operating mechanism therefor including a sliding member carried by said presser head above and between and common to all of said forming plates, and means including link-' mechanism, extended outwardly from said reciprocatory member and havlng pivotal connections both with sald forming plates and with said reciprocatory member.

20. In a folding machine, folding elements including wipers, a presser head re ciprocably disposed above said wipers, extensible and retractible forming plates carried by said presser head, and operating means for said forming plates includinga reciprocating member disposed between said forming plates, and link-mechanisms connecting said forming plates and reciprocatory member including motion-reversin mechanism associated with some of said link-mechanisms, whereby to effect the extension of some and the simultaneous retrac. tion of others of said forming plates.

21. In a folding machine, folding elements including wipers, a presser head recipro cablydisposed above said wipers, an extensible and retractible forming plate carried by said presser head, and operating means therefor including a reciprocatory member carried by said presser head, and means to reciprocate said forming plate reversely with respect to the movements of said reciprocatory member including a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and having operative connections at its ends with said reciprocatory member and forming plate.

22. In a folding machine, folding elements including wipers, a presser head re ciprocably disposed above said wipers, extensible and retractible forming plates carried by said presser head, and operating means for said forming plates including a reciprocatory member carried by said presser head and disposed between said formmg plates, link and lever mechanism connecting said member and forming plates and arranged to expand and retract them together, a rod fixed to said reciprocatory member, a reciprocatory actuating member for said rod having a support independent of said presser head, and an interlocking sliding connection between said rod and actuating member.

23. In a, folding machine, folding elements including extensible and retractible forming plates, wipers movable inwardly over said forming plates to Wipe the edge of the material over the extended forming plates, and operating means for said forming plates including a locking member disposed in position to engage a component of said operating means and hold it against operative movement, whereby to hold said forming plates in extended position against the action of said wipers.

24. In a folding machine, folding elements including extensible and retractible forming plates, wipers movable inwardly over said forming plates to wipe the edge of the material over the extended forming plates, operating means for said forming plates including a cam-follower associated \vithsaid forming plates, a reciprocatory cam member for operating said cam-follower, and an automatically-operative locking cam-member carried by said reciprocatory cam-member and aranged automatically to move into position behind said cam-follower to hold it from effective operation, whereby to hold said forming plates in ex tended position against the action of said wipers dnrirg a part of the movement of said cam member.

25.111 a folding machine, folding elements including wipers, extensible and retractible forming plates associated with said wipers, and operating means for said forming plates including a cam-follower, and a reciprocable cam block in which said camfollower is adapted to operate, said cam block having a shiftable cam-wall arranged to be displaced out of normal position by said cam-follower during a movement of said cam block. and means to restore said shiftable cam-wall to normal position.

26. In a folding machine. folding elements including wipers, extensible and retractible forming plates associated with said wipers, and operating means for said forming plates including a cam-follower, a reciprocable cam block having a cam slot in which said cam-follower is received, and a sliding member disposed in said slot and having an inclined face comprising a wall of said slot. said sliding member adapted to be displaced outot' a normal position in said slot by said cam follower, and means to return said sliding member into normal position and behind said cam-follower, whereby to hold said forming plates in extended position against the wiping action of said wipers.

27. In a folding machine, fixed parallel guide-ways, a prcsser head reciprocable in said guide-ways, a lever supporting said presser head at one end, and lever-reciprotating means engageable with the free end of said lever including a slide block connected with the free end of said lever and having a cam-follower, and a cam-member movable transversely of said slide block in operative relation with said cam-follower.

28. Ina folding machine, a bed having fixed parallel guide-ways, a presser head reciprocable in said guide-ways, a lever supported by said bed and having a pivotal connection with said presser head at one end, and means to reciprocate said lever including a block vertically slidable on said bed and having a pivotal connection with the free end of said lever, and also having a camfollower, and a cam-member movable transversely of said block in operative relation with said cam-follower.

29. In an inclined-bed folding machine, an inclined bed having inclined and parallel guidcays, a presser head reciprocable in and inclined with said guide-ways, a lever carried by said bed above said presser head and having a pivotal connection therewith at one end, an inclined slide-block carried by said bed and having a pivotal connection with the other end of said lever, and also having an inclined cam-follower, and a vertieally disposed, horizontally-reciprocable member having an inclined cam-block disposed in operative relation with said camfollower.

30. In a folding machine, a press'er head, forming plates carried thereby, a post carried dependingly by said presser head be tween said forming plates, and a pres-sci plate carried by the lower end of said post.

31. In a folding machine, a Presser head, forming plates carried thereby, a post carried dependingly by said presser head between said forming plates, and a presser plate disposed beneath said forming plates and having a detachable connection with the lower end of said post.

32. In a folding machine, a presser head having a guide slot, a forming plate -arricr reciprocable in said slot and having a guideway on its lower face, a block slidable on said guide-way and having a guide-way on its lower face transversely disposed with respect to said first guide-way, a forming plate slidably received on said second guide-way and means to secure said carrier, block and forming plate fixedly together.

In a folding machine, a die-frame iii composed of superimposed and transverselydisposed bars bounding a folding space, filler-bars disposed over said lower bars and having their upper surfaces terminated approximately in the plane of the upper surfaces of said upper bars, wipers reciprocable over the upper faces of said bars, and a presser head reciprocable into and out of said folding space.

34. In a folding machine, a die-frame composed of superimposed and'transverselydisposed bars arranged to bound a. rectangular folding space, filler members disposed over the lower bars betw-een'said upper bars and extended upwardly to about the level of the upper bars, wipers reciprocable over the upper faces of said bars, and a Presser head reciproc'ableinto and out of said folding space.

35. In a folding machine, an adjustable die frame composed of superimposed, transversely-disposed bars arrangedto bound a rectangular folding space, supporting-members for said bars on which said bars are movable toward and away from each other,

filler members removably disposed over said lower bars and extended upwardly to about the level of said upper bars, wipers reciprocable over the upper faces of said bars, and apresser head reciprocable into and out of said folding space.

36. In a folding machine, a die-frame defining a folding space having straight sides terminated in the same top plane and a round corner, and a detachable corner-block carried by said frame and shaped and disposed to define the round corner, and having its upper face terminated in the aforesaid topplane, and wipers disposed in a common plane immediately above said sides and corner blocks and movable thereover into said folding space.

37. In a folding machine, a die frame do fining a folding space having straight sides and round corners and composed of superimposed, transversely-disposed bars, detachable corner blocks carried by the lower bars adjacent the upper bars and shaped and disposed to define the round corners of the folding space, said blocks having grooves in their upper faces, filler-bars removably received in said grooves, wipers reciprocable over the upper faces of said bars, and a presser head reciprocable into and out of said folding space.

38. In a folding machine, a die-frame defining a folding space, wiper-carriers reciprocably carried by said frame, wipers sccured to said carriers. and a press'er head reciprocable into and out. of said folding space between said wipers.

39.111 a folding machine, a die-frame defining a folding space, wiper-carriers reciprocably carried by said frame, wipers disposed upon said carriers, means removably securing said'wipers and carriers in the aforesaid relation, and a presser head reciprocable into and out of said folding space between said wipers.

40. In a folding machine, a die-frame defining a folding space and having slidegrooves in its upper face, wiper-carriers siidably received in said grooves, wipers disposed upon and attached'to and carried by said carriers, and a presser head reciprocable into and out of said'folding space between said wipers.

d1. In a folding machine, means to define a folding space, a wiper reciprocable into and out of said space, and means to reciprocate said wiper including a reciprocable slide block, and means adjustably connecting said wiper rigidly with said slide block.

l2. In a folding machine means to define a folding space, a wiper reciprocable into and out of said space, and means to reciprocate said wiper including a reciprocable slide block, an adjustment-block having a sliding connection with said slide block, and a, bracket having a sliding connection with said adjustment block and a connection with said wiper.

4-3. In a folding machine,-means to define a folding space, a wiper reciprocable into and out of said space, and meansto TBCIPIQ", cate said wiper including a reciprocable slide block, an adjustment-block having an interlocking sliding connection with said slide block, and a bracket having a connec tion with said wiper and an interlockingslidzing connection with said adyustment-block.

M. In a folding machine, a die frame defining a folding space, a wiper-carrier reciprocable in said frame, a wiper attached to said carrier and extended over said frame, and means to reciprocate said wiper including a reciprocable die block disposed beneath said wiper, an adjustment-block having a sliding interlocking connection with said slide-block, and a bracket having a connection atits upper end with said wiper-cz'irrier and at its lower end a sliding interlocking connection with said adjustment block.

45. In a folding machine, means to define a folding space, a wiper movable into and out of said space, means to reciprocate said wiper including a reciprocable slide block. and means connecting said wiper and slide block having connections with said wiper and slide block which are adjustable in dif ferentdirections.

d6. In a folding machine, means to define a folding space, a wiper l'llOl'fibl? into and out of said space, and means to reciprocate said wiper including a reciprocable slide block, an adjustmenbblock having provision for adjustmentalong the length of said slide block and having means connecting it withv said wiper for relative transverse-adjustment therebetween.

47. In a folding machine, a reciprocable wiper, a reciprocable slide block for operating said wiper, an adjustment-block having provision for adjustment-moveinent along the length of said slide block and having a slottherein which is extended transversely of the line of movement of said slide lJiOi k, and a bracket adjnstably received in said slot and having a connection with said wiper.

48. In a folding machine, a reciprocable wiper, a reciprocable slide block for operating said wiper, said wiper disposed above and having provision for adjustment transverse of the plane of movement of said szide block, and means operatively connecting said slide block and wiper in any position which said Wiper may occupy.

49. In a folding machine, a die frame defining a folding space and composed of a pair of spaced parallel bars at least one of which has a support on which it is mount ed for adjustment toward and away from the other, and cross-bars carried solely by the aforesaid bars and having adjustable connections therewith by which the are movable toward and away from each other.

50. In a folding machine. a bed, a die frame disposed above said bed and composed ofa pair of spaced horizontal bars, and cross bars extended over and havinn adju table connections with said horizontal bars. at least one of said horizontal bars having": an adjustable connection with said bed by which it can be moved toward and away from said other horizontal bar, said connection comprising brackets depending from the ends of said bar and slidably received in guide-slots formed in said bed and extended transversely of said bar, and means to clamp said brackets in adjusted position in said slots.

Til. In a. folding machine, a bed, and a die frame including spaced horizontal bars disposed above said bed and adapted to support folding elements, said bars having depending brackets on the ends thereof which are slidable in aligned guide-slots in said bed. and means to clamp said brackets in adjusted position in said slots.

52. In a folding machine, a bed, and a die frame including spaced horizontal bars disposed above said bed and adapted to support folding elements. said bars having depending brackets on the ends thereof which are slidable in aligned guide-slots in said bed, means to clamp said brackets in adjusted position in said slots, and cross-bars carried wholly by said horizontal bars and having provision for adjustment along the lengths thereof.

53. In a folding machine, a bed, folding elements including wipers disposed above said bed, and operating means therefor including slide blocks having connections with said wipers, a plurality of posts disposed in concentric rows rising from said bed, and an oscillatory cam ring received between said rows and having operative connections with said slide blocks.

54. In a folding machine, a bed having concentric rows of radially-aligned posts rising therefrom, a cam ring disposed for oscillatory movement in the circular space between said rows of posts, said posts having aligned grooves in their upper faces, slide blocks extended over said cam ring and received slidably in said grooves and having operative connections with said cam ring, and folding elements having operative connections with said slide blocks.

55. In a folding machine, a blank-supporting table, folding elements associated with said table, an oscillatory cam-ring disposed benealh said table and a reciprocatory supporting frame for said table disposed above and having an opc'ative connection with said cam ring.

50. In a folding machine, a blank-supporting table. folding elements associated with said table, an oscillatory cain-ring disposed beneath said table and a reciprocatory supporting frame for said table disposed above and having depending lugs which surround said ring, and cam followers carried by said lugs disposedin inclined cam slots in the periphery of said cam rin by which said frame is raised and lowerc 57. In a folding machine, a forming plate havin angulally-related thin sections over the edges of which the material is adapted to be folded and having a region of increased thickness at the junction of said sections adapted to receive and lie under the corner-fold of the material.

58. In a folding machine, folding elements including a forming plate having angularly-related folding edges connected by a round corner, and having a region of increased thickness at the corner, and a corner wiper adapted to move over lh round corner and the region of increased tl'iickness and to fold the corner of the material over said region of increased thickness.

59. In a folding machine, an inclined bed, an inclined oscillating cam ring disposed on said bed, and having periplicrall ;disposed inclined gear teeth, and a liorizonlally-reciprocablc actuating member for said ring having an inclined rack meshing with the inclined gear teeth of said cam ring.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSEPH W. ANTHONY. 

